Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ Bangladesh is battling its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 500 children losing their lives since mid-March as hospitals across the country struggle to cope with a sharp rise in infections. According to government health data, at least 512 children have died from the highly contagious disease, including 13 deaths reported within a single day. Health officials estimate that more than 60,000 suspected cases have been recorded in just over two months, making the outbreak one of the most serious public health emergencies the country has faced in recent years.
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Hospitals in the capital, Dhaka, have been flooded with patients, forcing many facilities to create special wards dedicated to treating measles cases. But doctors are still fighting shortages of intensive care beds and medical supplies as they try to save critically ill children. Health authorities have cancelled holiday leave for many doctors and nurses to keep hospitals fully staffed during the crisis. Despite these efforts, medical workers say many children are arriving for treatment in severe condition, often suffering from breathing difficulties and infections affecting their eyes, throat, and lungs.
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Experts believe several factors contributed to the rapid spread of the virus. UNICEF said many children missed out on routine vaccinations over the past few years, leaving them vulnerable to infection. Additionally, high population density in some areas and more travel around holidays also sped up transmission. UNICEF also expressed concern about delays in procuring vaccines, which it said occurred during a transition in the country’s vaccine purchasing system. Such disruptions could have affected immunization coverage at a critical time.
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In response to the ongoing healthcare crisis, Bangladesh launched a nationwide vaccination campaign that has already reached some 18 million children. According to health officials, it will take months before the full benefits of the campaign are seen, but early indications are that the number of new infections is starting to fall. The outbreak has also exposed the long-term impact of disrupted health care services after the political unrest in 2024, which left many children without routine immunizations.
Doctors say that measles remains a serious threat, particularly to malnourished children and those from low-income families. Most healthy children recover with basic medical care, but complications, such as pneumonia, severe respiratory illness and inflammation of the brain, can be life-threatening. The outbreak has also spread outside of Bangladesh, with neighbouring Nepal reporting a growing measles outbreak. Health experts say the situation is a reminder that controlling infectious diseases requires strong vaccination programs, effective disease surveillance and close collaboration between public and private healthcare providers to protect vulnerable communities.
